Chapter 8

“And this must be Belle? My, but you are a pretty one, Belle! You are well named!”

“Thank you, ma’am. I didn’t pick it, but I am beginning to like it. Besides, it doesn’t matter whether I like it or not. I don’t think I can change it. I think the people who kidnapped me did something to my mind. Every time I think about changing it, I get really sick”

She gave Belle a big hug. “Oh, sweetie. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. And please call me Gloria. After all, I DO work for you.”

Bob and Marta just watched Belle interact with Gloria. They were glad that Belle had someone to speak to. They knew it was a real challenge for her to speak English, but she did try. Kevin hadn’t been by for a couple of days, as he had picked up a case. He did call every day, and Belle was very animated when she talked to him. It was very evident that she was smitten with the handsome man. Marta resolved to teach her about the “birds and the bees” before they turned her loose on the world.

Marta clapped her hands and sat down. “Okay, mom and dad. I have read what you have sent me about Belle’s rather unique medical situation. This is not without precedent. There is another, an actress, I think who was also was transformed, not by her doing but by accident. She did something similar to what you are doing. Taking control.

“I don’t want that kind of life, Gloria. I just want to be a normal girl. If I have to, I’ll leave the United States and move to…I don’t know, France maybe. I guess I won’t be so out of place there. I don’t want to do that, but I will if I have to”

Gloria was taking notes. “Interesting, Belle. So you see yourself as a girl?”

“Yes, I do. What do you see when you look at me?”

“A girl, a very pretty girl, if you don’t mind me saying”

Belle blushed, and shook her head no.

She looked at Marta. “She does understand English, then. Very good. I know that it’s difficult to follow. She basically told me she just wants to be normal, and if she has to, she’ll move to France to get away”

Marta held Belle’s hand in bother of hers. “We agree, Gloria. Whatever she wants. She didn’t ask for any of this”

As they were talking, the door to their room cracked open. A hand with a digital camera poked in. Gloria caught it out of the corner of her eye. She held her finger to her lips and stood up. She then ran into the door, smashing the arm of the unwanted cameraman. A scream issued in the hall. “Stay in here, guys. Let me handle this”

Gloria pulled the door open, to see a man on his knees holding his arm. “You bitch! My arm’s broken!”

Gloria smirked as she bent down to pick up the camera. “Don’t stick it where it doesn’t belong, moron” She motioned for the nurse. Call security, oh, and a doctor for our friend”

The nurse ran to the station and called for security. The man tried to get up and Gloria calmly pushed him back down with her foot. “Stay right there, big boy. What’s the big idea?”

“TMZ promised ten K for video of the kid”

“You know that would be illegal, don’t you. The “Kid” is underage. Now, you’ve got a broken arm to worry about. I’ve seen the rates this hospital charges. You should have stayed home. I hope you’ve got good insurance”

Security came and a guard escorted the man to the ER. Gloria pointed her finger at the remaining guard and said “no more of this crap. Either find my client a safer room or post a guard. The next time this happens, we go the legal route. My client has been through two years of hell, and we will not take too kindly to any more intrusions. I’ll hang on to the memory card”

“Yes ma’am” The guard replied. “I’ll get Admin on this right away”

Gloria reentered the room to applause. Belle was grinning from ear to ear. “Bravo, Gloria! You can be a real bitch when you want to be! I love it!”

Gloria acted shocked “Belle, you little scamp. Such language from a beautiful girl! You should be ashamed! But thank you! That’s the nicest thing I’ve heard today!” They both broke down in giggles.

“What did she say?” asked Bob.

Belle blushed. “Don’t you DARE tell him, Gloria!”

Gloria was recovering from laughing and said “She was just complimenting my handling of the situation”

Bob, not really getting what was being talked about, nonetheless added “So I’m guessing that is kind of what you do?”

“Sort of, Bob. I guess you could say I am your connection to the media. Any requests for interviews come through me. I bring them to you, and you decide what is appropriate or I decide. Either way, we work together toward what is best for Belle”

Marta added “Well, Gloria, we don’t really know anything about those kinds of things. What if we make a mistake?”

Gloria smiled. “That’s why you hired me. I’m very experienced at dealing with media types. I’m your advocate, and in essence protector from bad publicity. I am a lawyer by trade, Harvard Law, and have experience in both trial and prosecution. I know all of the ins and outs and what can or cannot be done, and I can be an unscrupulous publications worst nightmare”

Belle whistled. “Wow!”

Gloria chuckled. “I guess that’s one word we won’t have to teach her! Seriously, though, I’m very good at what I do. With the retainer I was paid, I will be on board for the long haul. I wanted this job, because as a women’s advocate, I believe what was done to Belle shouldn’t happen to anyone. Forcibly changing an innocent person’s gender like being a woman is some sort of punishment. In truth, I’d have done this for nothing, so being paid is icing on the cake”

“So what can we expect, Gloria?” asked Marta.

“More of the same nonsense you just experienced, unfortunately. Stories like Belle’s are sensational, and media outlets are going to be clamoring for an exclusive. I’ll talk to the ones that will give you a fair interview, without focusing an all of the bad things that happened. The key thing is to listen to my advice. I want what’s best for Belle and you, and my professional reputation is on the line”

Belle thought, then quietly said “I would like someone to tell my story who will focus on all of the other girls like me out there who weren’t as lucky as I was”

Bob and Marta looked to Gloria for the translation. Her eyes shone. “She wants to focus on the girls that weren’t as ‘lucky’ as she was” Gloria reached for a tissue and dabbed her eyes. “How do you mean you were ‘lucky’, Belle?

Belle looked at Gloria, her eyes brimming with tears. “Il ya ceux lá  qui n'ont pas été trouvés, Gloria. Ils souffrent encore, et mon cÅ“ur se brise pour eux. Je suppose que je ne pense pas que je vais jamais se sentir complá¨tement libre tant qu'ils sont lá -bas" (There are those out there who haven't been found, Gloria. They are still suffering, and my heart breaks for them. I guess I don’t think I’ll ever feel completely free as long as they are out there)

Belle’s mother rushed to her side. “What did she say? Why is she so upset?”

Gloria was drying her eyes. “She is worried about the ones still hurting, Marta. The ones still in captivity. I guess she is feeling a little ‘survivors’ guilt’. It’s perfectly understandable”

A gentle knock at the door broke the mood. Kevin cracked the door and asked “Anyone home?”

Belle smiled while laying her head on her mother’s shoulder. “Entrez, cutie”

Kevin saw that the women in the room were crying, and Bob was looking a little bit uncomfortable. “Bad timing? I can come back if you’d like”

Belle sat up. “No! Stay! I’ve missed you!”

Kevin held up his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay, your majesty! I’m staying! I had a few hours off, so I thought I’d check to see how my favorite girl is doing”

Belle gave him a pout and held her arms out. “Your timing is perfect. I could use a hug from you about now”

Kevin smiled “Okay, kiddo, give us a hug”

Kevin and Belle hugged, and Kevin could feel her tension melt away. She didn’t seem to want to let go.

He looked at Marta questioningly “So what’s been happening?”

“Belle has been feeling a bit low about the ones you couldn’t find, I think. She’s had a good cry, so your timing couldn’t have been better”

“Well, along those lines, from the intelligence Cerberus gathered from the Duncan’s computer, he found the buyers of the previous girls. He’s well on the way to getting them back. The person actually responsible for Belle’s change was captured by the authorities this morning. She had no idea that we were on to her. Someone said she was being turned over to 'the proper authorities' whoever they are”

Belle clapped her hands in happiness. “Good! Very good!”

Kevin broke her hug and held her at arm’s length and looked at her then smiled wide. “Well, well! Very nice, Belle! Been practicing on the English?”

She held her thumb and forefinger apart about an inch. “Maybe…a leetle beet!”

Kevin laughed heartily. “Well, keep it up, Belle! In no time you’ll be talking circles around us all!”

Belle giggled. “Just watch out when I do! You may not like it so much then, Kevin!”

Marta looked at Bob, her arms crossed. “We have GOT to learn French! She is saying way too much that we can’t understand”

“The Rosetta Stone program is already ordered, hon”

Kevin noticed Gloria in the chair by the wall opposite the bed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there, ma’am. He eased over to her and stuck out his hand. “Kevin Howard. I was kind of in on Belle’s rescue”

“Pleased to meet you, Kevin. Gloria Morton. I’ll be representing Belle and her family in media matters, and I know about your role. You sell yourself short.”

The light of recognition showed on Kevin’s face. “Ohhhh, okay! I thought you looked familiar. Wow! So they really brought in the big guns. I glad you’re on their side, Gloria. From what I’ve heard, you’re the best”

Gloria instantly liked this young man. He had an air of sincerity that couldn’t be faked. She could see why Belle was in love with him. “And you don’t mind a so called bitch like me monopolizing Belle’s time?”

“Heck no, Ms. Morton. With all she’s been through, she needs all of the quality help she can get. If you need anything from me, just let me know!”

“I just may do that, Kevin. And please, my friends call me Gloria” She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. “Kevin, could I buy you a cup of coffee? I’d like to discuss a few things with you” Gloria looked at Belle. I promise to have him back in twenty minutes.

Belle pouted again. Gloria could tell not many men would be able to resist that pout. “Okay, Gloria. But make sure he comes back”

“Oui, chere”

Chapter 9

As Kevin and Gloria were walking down the hall to the in hospital coffee shop, she asked him “You do know that Belle is very much in love with you, don’t you?”

Kevin wasn’t surprised. “I suspected, Gloria. I like her too, but I’m not sure it’s in that way. I know it could be, one day. She’s incredibly special. She’s just going through so much right now, she’s young, and her feelings could change. I don’t want to set myself up for a lot of heartache down the road”

“You’re a good guy, Kevin. I can see that. The next few months or even years are going to be stressful for her. I’ve done my research, and she’s due for some kind of PTSD. I can’t see it not happening”

“Don’t I know it. I’ll be there for her, though, if she wants me to be there” They reached the counter of the shop. “Large coffee, black for me, and for my friend…” he looked at Gloria.

“Same for me, please”

Kevin pulled out his wallet. Gloria held his arm. “Hey, I asked you out!”

Kevin held his hand up and smiled disarmingly. “This is Texas, ma’am” he said in an exaggerated East Texas drawl. “Ain’t no beeyoutiful women buyin’ when I’m around. Its muh treat”

Gloria giggled at the corny line. She had almost thirty years on Kevin, but it was nice to be treated like someone special. She blushed. This guy was a catch.

They got their coffees and prepared them to their liking. She noticed that Kevin was a cream and sugar, lots of sugar, man.

“Do you like coffee with your sugar, Sir?” she asked.

“I like coffee, but I can’t handle it straight. Too bitter. In these places, the coffee is always too hot, and smells like cigarettes. At least to me. Never got used to it in the Army”

Laughing, Gloria asked “I thought you were supposed to be a tough guy”

“Not that tough. I’d look like an eighty year old man if I drank that stuff straight. I notice you are pure black type”

“I love the bitterness. Let’s you know you’re alive!”

“Well, remind me not to mix it up with you. If you can drink that stuff straight, you could whip me any ol’ day”

Sitting down, Gloria continued. “I don’t like to be so up front with someone that I just met. I just think is it the best policy right now”

Kevin took a sip of his coffee and nodded. “Sure. I appreciate that, Gloria. Shoot”

“I saw how Belle’s eyes lit up when you came into the room. I don’t want to see her hurt, Kevin. She’s new at this girl business, and has no history to draw from. I just want you to handle her like the finest china in the world. But I guess I don’t really need to say that, do I”

“No arguments here. I have really been thinking about this the last couple of days. I know I could spend the rest of my life with someone like Belle. What bothers me is something that my friend found in the Duncan’s computer. There was a protocol in the ‘programming’ they did on Belle that would, upon transfer of ownership, effectively imprint her owner on her. She would be extremely attracted to him. I won’t say love…I don’t believe that true love can be imprinted on anyone…but I wonder if this isn’t that protocol initiating itself. Do you follow me?”

Gloria nodded as she enjoyed her coffee. “Absolutely, Kevin. What are you saying, then?”

“I really like Belle. I witnessed her being used in the worst way possible. I want to protect her from that ever happening again. She has been through hell, yet there is a special quality about her. It’s as if she is the strongest person I have ever met, bar none. She should be a drooling wreck, but she is able to laugh, and care about other people. I couldn’t do that. No one that I know could”

“Go on, please”

“I don’t want to be the guy she imprints on like a baby bird. She deserves better. I want her to experience life. Finish high school. Go to college if she wants. I can wait. If she changes her mind, I’ll be crushed, but at least it will be her decision. How can I do that, and be with her as much as I want to be. I mean, I’m ten years older than she is. It don’t mean much five, ten years down the road, but it’s a big deal now”

Gloria was amazed at this man. She had known a lot of men in her time, but few to match Kevin’s maturity. Hell, she wanted him, and she was old enough to be his mother. “I understand Kevin. What else are you thinking?”

“Hell, Gloria, I do like her. A lot. I just want to make sure it’s real, is all”

“All I can say Kevin is keep doing what you’re doing. See her when you want. Don’t shut her out. Be patient when you need to be. In a lot of ways, she’s still a baby. But she needs you right now. Don’t push it, don’t shut her out. Go with the flow”

“Thanks, Gloria. Hey you are pretty good! You sure you ain’t one a those head shrinkers?”

“You have no idea, kid”

Two days later, almost to the hour, Belle woke to a funny feeling. She couldn’t quite place it. She got up to go to the bathroom. As she pulled her nightgown up and her panties down, she sat to go. After she was done, she went to clean herself. Then she noticed. She was complete. There were soft folds of flesh around her new opening.

“Mama! Mama! Venez vite ! Presse ! J’ai un vagin! J’ai un VAGIN!" (Mama! Mama! Come quickly! Hurry! I have a vagina! I have a VAGINA!)

Marta started awake at the girlish shouting coming from the bathroom. She burst in and saw Belle standing up in front of the toilet, her nightgown up and panties at her knees.

"Regarde, maman, un vagin! N'est-ce pas cool! Je suis une fille maintenant!" (Look, Mom, a vagina! Isn’t that cool! I’m a girl now!)

Marta couldn’t help but laugh. The combination of her daughter’s position and the wide eyed grin on her face told her what her daughter was saying. She was now complete.

“That’s wonderful, honey! I guess Christmas comes on November twentieth this year!”

"Je connais! N'est-il pas génial! Maintenant, nous pouvons rentrer á  la maison!" (I know! Isn’t it great! Now we can go home!)

“Slow down, honey! I can’t understand you! Think about what you’re saying, okay? Slowly, In English.”

Belle pulled her panties up and let her nightie drop. “Oooooooohhh! She stamped her foot in frustration. "Je déteste ce ! Pourquoi n'ont-ils pas me laisser seul ! Je ne peux máªme pas parler á  ma má¨re! Je déteste ces salauds! Ce ne fut pas assez pour me changer. Qu'ils avaient á  baiser avec mon esprit" (I hate this! Why didn’t they leave me alone! I can’t even talk to my mother! I hate those bastards! It wasn’t enough to change me. They had to fuck with my mind!).

Belle burst into tears and fell into her mother’s arms. She just kept repeating “Je déteste ce”, “Je déteste ce”.

The duty nurse rushed in to Belle’s room. Hearing crying from the bathroom, she slowly opened the door. Belle was weeping heavily on her mother’s shoulder.

Marta motioned gently that it was all right to the nurse. “Give us a minute, please” was all she said. The nurse closed the door.

After Belle had calmed down, Marta told her. “Honey, I know it’s frustrating. It is for me too. I can’t imagine what it is like for you. Please, don’t feel like we have to understand every word you say. I understood you just fine. You’re officially my little girl now, okay? I know that. I’m excited for you too. We just need to get out of this place and back home. Right?”

Belle nodded her head. Sometimes she hated her new life.

Chapter 10

“Right, Mama. Home, okay? Today?”

“Let’s see what we can do. Now, I want you to get cleaned up. I have some stuff for you to wear for us to leave, but there’s a bunch of paperwork, I’m sure. I also think that the doctor is going to want to have one more look at you before we leave too. So scoot!”

She gave her daughter a swat on the bottom. She went to the overnight bag she brought from home the previous day. It had shampoo, conditioner, a razor, some cologne and some hair care products. “I think that’s all you’ll need to get cleaned up. Can I do your hair after you’re done?”

“Is okay, Mama. I can…do…my…cheveux…hair. I know…how”

“Oh, poo! Please, Belle. I want to. I never had a little girl. Let me have my fun!”

Belle giggled in the shower. “Okay. Mama! Fun for you!”

“Do you need to shave your legs and pits?”

“Non, Mama. I ‘ave…no cheveux anywhere…but ‘ead. Easy to…take…care of, no?” another giggle.

Marta laughed. “Yes, very easy. I’m jealous! Okay honey. Take your time now, relax.”

“Okay, mama”

The duty nurse returned to Belle’s room. “Is everything all right, Mrs. Kalisek?

“Yes, Marion. You need to call the Doctor, though. Her external female parts blossomed last night. She needs to be checked out, and we’d like to go home today if the doctor thinks its okay”

“Okay, Mrs. Kalisek. The doctor did say he wanted to be informed as soon as it happened, so he’ll be in. We don’t get these kinds of cases every day, thank God”

“Don’t I know it!”

Bob arrived shortly after that, and Dr. Grey as well as Dr. Brooks arrived at about one o’clock to check on Belle. Dr. Grey did a GYN exam, which Belle handled remarkably well. He pronounced her fit from a physical point of view.

“I see no physical reason why Belle can’t go home today. She’s as healthy as the proverbial horse. I think it would be a good idea for her to take it easy for the next couple of days. She’s been down for awhile, so just take it easy” he nodded to Dr. Brooks. “Sam, I’m guessing you want to have a chat with our guest as well. I’ll sign off on the physical”

“Thanks, Kelly” She sat down in the chair next to the bed.

Belle’s parents got up to leave. Sam motioned for them to stay. “You can stay. You won’t be able to pick up much of what she’s saying anyway”

“How is everything going, Belle?”

“Surprisingly well, doctor. I have had some nightmares, but nothing like screaming and that sort of thing. I’m just glad that the changing is all done. I’m happy to be me. Does that make sense?”

“It does. So you feel comfortable like this? No regrets?”

“Oh, plenty of regrets. I don’t remember much about my previous life. Bits and pieces, emotions, that sort of thing. I think it will be a lot worse when I go back to school. I’ll probably have to do freshman year over again, but that will be better for me, I think. No old classmates to deal with”

“Scared?”

“Yes, a little. I don’t want to hide. I can’t change my name, those bastards saw to that, so how many Belle Marie Kaliseks can there be. But, I’m a realist. I know I am a very pretty girl, and that will open some doors, and may help my relationships a bit, but…”

“But what?”

“But it’s not enough to be pretty. I want to be nice. Part of what they did to me was to make me submissive. That scares me to no end. I will be nice, but I’m frightened that someone will try to take advantage of me”

“That’s a legitimate fear, Belle. I have some advice, if you want it”

“Of course!”

“Being submissive is not all bad. It means that you put others ahead of yourself. That is a trait I wish more of us had. Just be true to yourself. If someone comes to you and asks you to do something that you don’t want to do, ask yourself, would this person ask my mother or father for me to do this? You’ll know. And it’s okay to say no”

“That helps. I don’t need anymore trouble than I already have. Doctor, I also know I have no experience with people my own age. Will girls be mean to me? Will boys be mean? Who can I trust?”

“I can’t tell you that, Belle. I do know this. You have a strong sense of right and wrong. If your insides tell you not to trust someone, don’t. Make them earn your trust. You will be hurt in the future. Everyone is, it’s just part of life. Don’t let that hurt define you. So, what about Kevin?”

“I was afraid you would ask that, doctor. I know I’ve told you before. I love him. I love him so much it hurts. I would die for him. I can’t explain it, but I knew the minute he sat and held me just after I was rescued. He could have taken advantage of me. I wanted him to. I would have done anything he wanted me to. You know that I know quite a lot about that sort of thing. He was kind and gentle, and very patient with me. He could have just dumped me at the police station, but he didn’t. But I know I have to grow up a little. I think he feels the same way. But I don’t want him to stay away. I know that I want to marry him as soon as I am able”

“How can you be sure?”

“I don’t know. I just do. I may have a boyfriend in my future, a date to the prom, going out with friends, whatever. But Kevin is the man I’m going to marry”

“Does this conflict with your upbringing as a boy?”

“Not that I can tell, doctor. I love Kevin. I want to be his wife, I want to make love to him, and when the time is right, I want to have his children. I know that isn’t what Brian would want, but I do. Belle does. Belle is who I am now”

“That’s a very good attitude, Belle; it sounds like you’ve thought about it a lot. Can you explain?”

“When those people were treating me so horribly, the part of me that was Brian died. He gave up for my well being. It was like he told me to live for him. Not to look back. They wanted me to fight, they wanted to break me. If Brian had held on neither of us would have survived.” Tears started trickling down Belle’s face. I know that this is probably just some thing my mind did to help me deal with what I went through. So I just went on, and decided to do whatever they wanted me to do. They couldn’t touch the true Belle inside. I kept going for Brian. I knew that I would be rescued. Mama and Papa told me I would be. They needed someone to come home. Brian couldn’t make it, but I would. And I would be the girl they deserved”

Sam had recorded the entire interview. What Belle said was amazing. Sam had never met a person with more true inner strength than Belle. She wasn’t a superwoman. Far from it. But there was strength of character there that bordered on the super human. “That was an amazing story, Belle. Have you read some of the stories I asked you to?”

“All of them. You said they were true?”

“Yes, most of them, why?”

“Well, it seemed to me that none of them could really accept what happened. They wanted to continue to be men even when it was obvious that was no longer possible. Like being a woman was some kind of death sentence or something. It isn’t. I like who I am, Doctor. Maybe I’m missing something. Maybe because I can’t remember too much, I don’t know. It’s possible I’m just a silly kid who doesn’t know any better. I’m not going to judge. Just be who you are, that what you’ve told me, and that’s who I’ll be”

Belle leaned in to Sam conspiratorially. “Between you and me. I’ve got it a lot better now, in some ways. I can look so pretty in a dress, I can wear cute heels, or I can go round in jeans and a tee, just like I did before. I know that guys like to do nice things for pretty girls. I know I can’t be one of those girls who always take advantage of that, but once in awhile it will be nice to go on a date”

Belle giggled and told Sam to “shhhhh”. Sam giggled right back. “I know, sweetie. Just be careful! I don’t want more men finding out how cool it is to be a girl!”

Belle threw her head back in laughter. “My lips are sealed!” Belle tittered for a bit then got serious again. “Doctor Sam, I know I’m far from okay. Can I keep seeing you?”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am so thankful you are so open. It will make it so much easier to keep you moving forward. Always remember, I will be here for you to talk to. Never keep it all bottled up inside. It will get better, but you have to talk.”

“I will. I guess one of the good things about my personality is I have the need to be honest and to please people, and being honest pleases you. That makes me feel good”

“Thank you Belle. Now for you, mom and dad. Belle can follow along, but this is for you. I think Belle is ready to face the world on a limited basis for now. Now, I want to get some honest input from you. Belle was completely forthright with me, and expect no different from you. Fair enough?”

Both intoned “Fair enough”

“Okay. Belle is reasonably well adjusted for now. That could change. She’s been through hell that only a few prisoners of war have known. She needs your unconditional support. Bob, I’ll start with you. Fathers in these situations tend to be the ones who take the change the hardest, especially those with an inflated sense of male ego. I’m not saying you do, but we’ll find out. How are you taking this?”

“To tell the truth, I mostly just glad our child is back. However she is. I hate the people who did this to her, and am glad that they are dead. But I miss my son…” Bob began to break down “…and I know he’s not coming back. Somehow, I feel cheated in all of this. Marta always wanted a little girl, not that she didn’t love Brian, but I lost my son. I’ll never get that back. Marta can’t have any more kids, and I wouldn’t ask her to anyway. Brian can never be replaced. We used to go to Ranger and Cowboy games, and he always loved the statistics. We played catch with the baseball. We shot baskets. I don’t know how to deal with a daughter. What if she gets pregnant? What will everyone think? I just miss my son”

Sam handed Bob a tissue. Belle was crying, as was Marta. “Bob, I’m not going to tell you what you are feeling is wrong. What you are feeling is normal. And it might make you feel better that Belle feels kind of the same way. For her, it’s like Brian was a brother. She knows she can never replace him. She misses him too”

Bob was shuddering “I didn’t know what happened. I’m sorry, Brian. Sorry I wasn’t there for you”

“Bob, it’s okay. Let it out. It’s all right to grieve. Brian understands”

Bob cried for several minutes, as Marta and Belle held him. This was one of those times for Sam when it was near to impossible for her to maintain her professional impassivity. This was a good family thrust into a horrible situation.

After about twenty minutes, Bob was able to continue.

Sam began again. “Bob, here comes the good news. All the things you did with Brian, you can do with Belle. She may never enjoy the games like Brian did, but I guarantee you that being with you will be the highlight of her life. Girls love their daddies differently than boys. A boy learns to be a man from his father. Ideally, a girl learns what a man should be. Belle was horribly abused by men. She needs you now more than ever to show her that men aren’t hideous monsters. You can still be there for your child, and in a more important way than you ever could for Brian. She can still play catch. Oh, she may throw like a girl for awhile, but the time you spend together is what is important. On to the last subject. She may get pregnant. She certainly has the equipment now. Thanks to how she was trained or programmed, she is very submissive. She needs a strong influence in her life to show her how to be strong. She is very afraid of being taken advantage of. You have to give her that edge so she won’t be taken advantage of”

“I-I never thought about that. Would you still go to the games with me, Belle?”

Belle nodded. “Yes, Daddy” She looked at Sam. “Tell him I would love to go, but that my athletic training is limited to learning to walk in high heels for now. He’ll have to teach me to shoot a basket again, but I want to learn. Maybe I can play in school!” Belle smiled and gave her Dad a kiss on the cheek.

Sam had a little giggle before she told them what Belle said.

Bob looked like the weight of the world was off his shoulders. “I think I can handle that. I just need to put a new net up! Maybe we can get passes to the Speedway. I’ve always wanted to go”

“That would be…nice” said Belle with a smile.

“Bob, we still have a lot of work, but this is a good start”

“Marta. Are you ready?”

“Yes”

“Okay, what’s on your mind?”

“I think the biggest thing for me now is being a good example for her. I know she’s been damaged. I feel like I need to protect her. It’s like I want to keep her in my sight at all times, and never leave her side”

“Go on”

“I don’t feel like I’m prepared to do this. I didn’t bring this lovely girl up. She’s like a baby in the body of a movie star. Where do I start? How can I tell her no? She’s been through so much already, I don’t want to be the like the beasts that abused her. I also miss my little boy. He was such a doll. He was always drawing when he was a little boy. Pictures of dogs, horses, us, whatever he wanted. He was a sweet little boy who never hurt anyone. I died a little the day he was taken. I also feel like that part was reborn when Belle came in to our lives. I’m already so proud of her I could burst. I can’t wait to go shopping, to take her to the spa, to do those things some of my friends do with their daughters. I am so glad to have Belle, but I feel like I am betraying Brian to love her”

“Marta, as a woman and a mother, I do understand how you feel. Brian came from your body. You nurtured him inside you for nine months. I suppose you breast fed him too, didn’t you?” Marta nodded. “You loved him no matter what he was. You appreciated him for what he was. Your love was unconditional. Then he was stolen from you. As a piece of you was cut away from your soul. This feeling is completely normal and understandable.

Those memories cannot be stolen you’ll have them forever. Loving your daughter isn’t betraying Brian. Quite the opposite. It’s honoring him. Without him, Belle doesn’t exist. No matter how they messed wither mind. Some of Brian will always be alive in Belle. It’s just in a different package. So don’t feel guilty. Relish the time you have with her. Enjoy the grandchildren she may have one day. Teach her well. She will need it. Don’t smother her. Let her make some mistakes. We all make them. Instruct her how to avoid the really big ones. You can’t be by her side one hundred percent of the time”

“Thank you, Doctor”

Sam nodded. “You’re welcome. One more thing for both of you. She nodded to Belle, who put her iPod earphones in. “This is embarrassing to her, as it will be the most obvious reminders of her time in captivity. Belle, in previous interviews, has told me that she has a few personality quirks that can be minor, or major if you allow them to be. She wanted me to share them with you.

“One. As a result of her conditioning, she will always dress a little provocatively. She hates this about herself, as it will draw some attention to her and reminds her of what she was to become. If she fights this conditioning, she will become very agitated. She is again afraid of this. She asks that you understand, and to not ridicule her about it. Help her to deal with it by channeling this into tasteful options. Any questions?”

There were none.

“Two. She is not sure about the concept of modesty. If told to, she would take her clothes off in front of whoever asked her and not think a thing about it. I think you got a taste of that when she ‘blossomed’ this morning. She may walk into the kitchen after a shower wearing nothing but a smile. Please do what you can to gently remind her that no clothing is not an option outside of her private space. Believe me, she wants you to. Whatever you do, don’t make a big deal about it if she slips. It could cause a breakdown. Actually, I think this will one of the easiest habits or behaviors, if you will, to break. As her self esteem rises, her modesty will return. Remember, whoever did this engineered her to be a sex slave, a toy. I don’t want to be too graphic, so I’m hoping you get the point. Are we clear?”

Both nodded in agreement. “We’ll watch her and ourselves”

“Great. Call my office for appointment instructions. I am reserving one afternoon a week for you”

Bob thought of a question. “Doctor, isn’t this going to get expensive?”

“For someone, yes. It’s being covered by her insurance”

“She has insurance?”

“Yes, and I’m not at liberty to discuss it in detail. She has one hundred percent coverage for any health issue for the next ten years, with an option to continue after that”

“Who is doing this?”

“I don’t know. Just enjoy the ride”